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The Tea Traders Herd:
Formed by Chromatos and Ch'aska, in a business/friendship based partnership, the Tea Traders herd are just that... A herd that travels around the Soquili Lands, trading with others. Their primary stock is always going to be teas, mostly ones grown by the White Leaf herd, with whom they have a Sibling Herd relationship. They bring back the goods they have traded for to the White Leaf, and exchange them for the current Trade Stock, and then go out, again, to trade. They don't have their own herd lands, due to the necessity of living a nomadic life for the purposes of trade.

Over time, they intend to establish a set trade route. They hope to set up locations they will use as regular stops for rest, as well as regular trading. Indeed, they have high hopes of setting up trade agreements with herds along their path, so as not to worry about angering or offending any other herds they encounter.

They are almost exclusively winged, as it's easier for the whole herd to travel together if they use the same mode of transportation. If some one wishes to join their herd who is not winged, they would need to be able to move quickly and well on the ground, so as not to hold up the whole herd on a regular basis. By this same token, any herd members with familiars are expected to have a familiar that either can fly with them, or they can carry without being overly weighed down. They have no views against non-flighted species, as a herd, they just have concerns about being separated if groundbound members are unable to keep up.

The Herd has been formed by these two with a herd structure that is based on a combination of both Ch'aska's family-herd that the sisters came from, and the original Tea Traders Herd that Chromatos and his siblings were born into. Chromatos was a young adult when his first herd fell apart, and when he met with Ch'aska, he found himself yearning to go back to the ways of his family. Ch'aska, having found a kindred spirit, one with whom she could be incredible friends, in Chromatos decided that he would be a good partner for the new herd she was hoping to form. When she saw he was experienced in leading, after his time as Jase's second in command of the White Leaf, they discussed together and agreed that he would be better as herd leader, for she had a much better grasp of certain bookkeeping skills that he was not so good at.

Herd Structure:
Head Trader: Chromatos
The Herdleader, the Head Trader is the one who decides which routes to take, where they camp as a group of a night, and who they will trade with. All large negotiations must be approved by the Head Trader, before they can be finalized. The Head Trader works hand in hand with the Bookkeeper to be sure that the herd's trading comes to a profit, and is of value to them.

"Bookkeeper": Ch'aska Quyllur
The Bookkeeper is equivalent to a human trading group's bookkeeper... She tracks in and out flow of the goods, and provides advice to all traders on value of items for trade, and what is acceptable to trade for. When the herd's Bookkeeper position is open, it is always filled by a trader who has proven to be both a keen and clever trader, and also to have a clear idea of values. The other requirement is an incredibly good memory, for unlike human bookkeepers, the Traders' bookkeeper must do it all in her head.

Lore Keeper: Khuyana
As with all things, lore and traditions spring up around various kinds of tea. The Lore Keeper has the duties of remembering these things, so that they can be told, or shown, to potential buyers who might be fascinated or tempted by this. Knowing the proper way to prepare a gourd of Yerba maté, and how to drink it from the bombilla, for instance, is the job of this Soquili. Showing others how to do so is also his or her job. So is using this information to tempt curious but undecided buyers into buying.

General Assistant: Pariapichiu
Intended to help organize the herd, this position handles general duties, behind the scenes. Need your pack reorganized, because for some reason things aren't fitting even though they did yesterday? The G.A. might be able to help! Need your goods displayed to the best viewing? Again, this lovely person might be able to help!

Head Messenger: Pacari
The first Messenger of the herd, and the leader of all other messengers. When it comes to deciding which messenger will take what packages or information where, the Head Messenger is in charge of this. She is expected to know her staff well, so as to know who is the best fit for each.

Messenger: Open
Messengers are used to relay important information to herds that the Tea Traders are in business with. If something urgent comes up, such as limited stock a particular herd/group might be eager to get in on for various reasons, or healing teas a herd/group is in desperate need of that may not have been in stock before, the messenger goes to notify them and said herd can either send someone to trade on their behalf, or sometimes the Messenger is able to complete the trade themselves upon arrival if agreements were made beforehand.

Healer: Ceridwen & Naosu
As a traveling herd, there are always risks of unfamiliar illnesses, and injuries. The Healer is, therefor, a soquili of importance, even if he or she has no skills whatsoever at trading. They are not expected to be a trader. If they have those skills as well, all the better, but their first and foremost job will always be healing, whether it is herb healing or magical. A Unicorn Mix is preferred for this post.

Herbalist: Killasisa
The Herbalist works hand in hand with the Healer. She specializes in herbal uses, whether this is through finding new herbs, and how to use them, or new applications of old herbs, or even just using the tried and true methods. The Herbalist is called on most heavily when there is no Healer in the herd.

Guard Leader: Unfilled
As with any trading group, this one needs those who can act as a guard. The Guard Leader is the head of those guards, and makes sure they stay organized within the group. They coordinates with the Head Trader to make sure that the Guards are ready for what may come in the lands ahead.

Shaman: -Reserved-
The sisters brought with them many traditions from their homelands, and Chroma brought them too. An odd synthesis occurred and the herd beliefs formed from this core synthesis. Rather then having priests, or priestesses, a shaman is what is wanted. The shaman will, when found, fulfill the rituals of belief for the herd.

Entertainers: Open
Ch'aska and Chroma are both very well aware that people are often attracted by entertainment. As such, they welcome entertainers into the herd. Musicians, dancers, magicians... They are fine with any of them, as long as they are not sharpsters.

Guards: Open
The Guards all answer to the Guard Leader, and do just what their title implies... They are the guards of the herd.

Traders: Open
All other nonranked Traders will generally fall in this category. They trade and talk, providing the core of the herd.

Bearers: Open
The last group in the herd, the Bearers are all strong Soquili who are able to carry the Trade goods, and still keep up with the rest of the herd. This position can be born by members who cover other positions too, and generally is.

Form:
So you've read the info and you think your Soquili would like to join, and be a good match for this herd? Please fill out the form below, and I'll get back to you soon.